Whatever strange, funny, adorable, or bizarre habits your cat has, chances are they’re just like millions of other felines who love to knead.
What is kneading?
We’ve all seen it. Your cat begins pushing one paw in and out with the other, as if kneading invisible dough. This behavior is common among our feline friends — oftentimes you’ll find your cat kneading on soft surfaces, such as a blanket, pillow, or even your lap.
Five reasons cats knead
So, what are cats doing when they knead? Why do they do it? The truth is no one is entirely sure. There are many theories, but science has yet to form a definite conclusion as to why cats knead, but there are some intriguing hypotheses.
1. It’s behavior from when they were a kitten
Cats begin to knead as kittens. At this early stage of life, they knead their mom’s stomach to stimulate the flow of milk. But even after kittens stop nursing, they can still knead so it’s seen as an instinctive behavior that means they’re comfortable and happy. Remember this sweet tidbit next time your cat is kneading your thigh like they’re getting ready to bake up some serious biscuits.
2. It’s primal, bed-making behavior
There was a time when cats were fierce predators, stalking, pouncing and hunting the forests and fields. And these fierce predators had to have time to sleep, but they didn’t have fluffy cat beds. Kneading, the theory goes, was a way for cats to break down the plants and grass, patting down the leaves to make a bed to sleep in.
And one theory says despite domesticity, this primal behavior has stuck around.
3. A nicer way to mark territory
The history of owning cats includes torn upholstery, destroyed rugs, and the smell left behind when a cat has marked a little piece of the world as their own. You might feed them, love them and pamper them, but cats still need you to know even though you pay the bills, this is their territory.
Fun fact: Cats have scent glands on the bottom of their paws. Some experts believe when cats are kneading, they’re marking their territory in a way that is infinitely preferable to the tearing or spraying methods.
4. Kneading aka needy
If your cat purrs when they knead, they might be trying to get your attention. They could be hungry, want to go outside, or just begging for a good scratch behind the ears.
5. It might mean heat
Finally, when a female cat is about to go into estrus, more commonly known as heat, she will knead her paws to signal to male cats that she’s able and ready to mate.
The reasons behind kneading may forever remain a mystery, but one thing is for sure — it’s undeniably adorable.
